ObjectiveTo discuss the safety and effectiveness of combined dynamic cervical implant (DCI) and Cage fusion in the treatment of two-level cervical disc protrusion. MethodsBetween September 2009 and June 2011, 16 cases of two-level cervical disc protrusion were treated with combined DCI and Cage fusion. Of 16 cases, 10 were male and 6 were female, with a mean age of 44.1 years (range, 37-64 years) and with a mean disease duration of 5.1 years (range, 2-8 years), including 8 cases of cervical myelopathy, 5 cases of nerve root cervical myelopathy, and 3 cases of mixed cervical myelopathy. Radiological results indicated degenerative intervertebral discs and compressed never root or spinal cord. Involved discs included C3,4 and C4,5 (1 case), C3,4 and C5,6(5 cases), C4,5 and C5,6 (3 cases), C4,5 and C6,7 (5 cases), and C5,6 and C6,7 (2 cases). The neck disability index (NDI), Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score, and visual analogue scale (VAS) were used to evaluate the neurological function and pain relief. The stabilities and activities of involved segments, intervertebral fusion, and displacement of Cages were observed during follow-up. ResultsPrimary healing of incisions was obtained in all cases; no complication of hematoma, infection, cerebrospinal fluid leakage, or neural function damage occurred. All 16 patients were followed up 18 months on average (range, 6-36 months). The cervical X-ray results indicated that the activities of involved segments was (7.8±3.1)°, showing no significant difference (t=0.655, P=0.132) when compared with preoperative value [(7.3±2.6)°]. No implant loosening was observed; slight heterotopic ossification occurred in 1 patient at the posterior rim of intervertebral space. No cage loosening or sinking was seen, and good fusion was achieved. The mean time of fusion was 4.5 months (range, 3-8 months). NDI, JOA, and VAS scores at last follow-up (18.3±5.1, 15.7±1.5, and 3.4±1.8 respectively) were significantly improved (t=2.131, P=0.016; t=3.126, P=0.024; t=6.102, P=0.038) when compared with preoperative scores (49.6±11.3, 12.8±2.0, and 6.7±1.2 respectively). ConclusionA combination of DCI and intervertebral Cage fusion has satisfactory early effectiveness in treatment of two-level cervical intervertebral protrusion for maintaining the stability and activity of cervical vertebrae.
ObjectiveTo compare the clinical outcomes of different pituitary down regulation protocols with gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRH-a) in patients undergoing in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) treatment. MethodsThe clinical data of 358 IVF cycles in women at 40 years old or younger from November 2012 to January 2013 in the West China Second University Hospital were analyzed retrospectively. All the 358 cycles were divided into two groups, according to whether the leading follicle diameter was <14 mm (group A, 158 cycles) or ≥14 mm (group B, 200 cycles) after discontinuing the GnRH-a. The clinical outcomes were compared between the two groups. ResultsCompared with group B, the amount of gonadotropins used was significantly more, and the time of gonadotropin use was also significantly longer in group A (P<0.05). However, the serum level of estradiol (E2), progesterone (P) and Luteinizing hormone (LH), incidence of premature P rise, retrieved ovum number, the rates of implantation, clinical pregnancy, miscarriage and live birth did not significantly differ between the two groups (P>0.05). ConclusionDiscontinuing the use of GnRH-a in early stage of controlled ovarian stimulation can keep effective pituitary down regulation and it has the same optimal clinical outcomes in patients undergoing IVF-ET.
ObjectiveTo explore the effect of chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) on the reproductive function of mice and provide a suitable animal model for reproduction and stress. MethodsA total of 240 female Kunming mice were feed for 5 days, and then divided randomly into the control group (n=90) and experimental group (n=150). The mice in the experimental group were stressed by 9 chronic mild unpredictable stress factors for 4 weeks and validated by open field test and sucrose consumption test. We administrated pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMSG)/human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) for induction of superovulation and observed the ovarian response and embryo development potential. ResultsAfter 4-week CUMS stimulation, the weight gain, 2% sugar consumption test and open field test were significantly different between the mice in two groups (P>0.05). After PMSG/HCG was administrated, the antra follicles and preovulatory follicles significantly reduced significantly in the experiment group than that in the control group (P<0.05); the number of oocytes, fertilization rate, 2-cell embryos, D4 embryos, blastocysts, high quality embryo rate and D5 bed points were all significantly decreased in the experiment group than those in the control group (P<0.05). ConclusionThe CUMS female Kunming mice model is a kind of emotional stress animal model with low reproductive function, which is effective, operable and repeatable; it could be used for further study on the mechanism of reproductive medicine.